Listen: Ray Wylie Hubbard Has The Mountain Stage Song Of The Week

The legendary icon of cosmic cowboy country music, Ray Wylie Hubbard, returns to Mountain Stage with host Kathy Mattea, along with a line-up jam-packed with exceptional songwriting talent. We’ll also hear performances from Mary Gauthier, Cole Chaney, Frances Luke Accord, and Darden Smith.

Join us starting Friday, Oct. 28 on these NPR stations for the entire episode.

Texas native, and former high school band mate of our founder Larry Groce, Hubbard has carved out an unmistakable niche in the modern world of folk, rock and Americana music. His latest album, Co-Starring Too, exemplifies his reach and influence with featured guests like Willie Nelson, Steve Earle, Hayes Carll, James McMurtry, Wynonna and Jaimee Harris (herself a guest alongside Mary Gauthier on this show).

Our Song of the Week is Hubbard’s performance of “Desperate Man,” which closes out the studio album with guest-stars Band of Heathens. In this version The Mountain Stage Band can be heard backing Hubbard.

Hear the entire set, plus captivating performances from revered songwriter Mary Gauthier, poet, photographer and song craftsmen Darden Smith, roots-pop duo Frances Luke Accord, and emerging Kentucky songwriter Cole Chaney.

They’re all in live performance on this week’s Mountain Stage, heard weekly on these public radio stations.

1 of 5  — Mary Gauthier w/ Kathy Mattea

Mary Gauthier, with Jaimee Harris, are introduced by Kathy Mattea

Chris Morris / Mountain Stage

2 of 5  — Cole Chaney

Kentucky’s Cole Chaney performing on Mountain Stage.

Chris Morris / Mountain Stage

3 of 5  — Darden Smith

Texas tunesmith, poet and photographer Darden Smith performing on Mountain Stage in 2022.

Chris Morris / Mountain Stage

4 of 5  — Frances Luke Accord

The acoustic duo known as Frances Luke Accord, performing on Mountain Stage in 2022.

Chris Morris / Mountain Stage

5 of 5  — Finale

Artists join host Kathy Mattea for one more number to close the show. Tune in starting Friday October 28 for the full episode.

Chris Morris / Mountain Stage